Air New Zealand Air Points - OT: Any ideas for cheap one way car rental BHE-NSN?

Hi all

I know this is off topic but I figured the locals on this board might have some ideas. I need to book a two day one way car rental Dec 26th-28th, picking up in Blenheim (airport or town) and dropping off at Nelson airport. I guess I've left it pretty late as the rates are pretty awful. By some margin the best rate I can find, once one way fees etc are all factored in, is NZ$276 on Budget with a New Zealand AA membership number. Does anyone have any better suggestions, or should I just suck it up? :eek:

I could pick the car up sooner (e.g. Dec 24th) if that helped.

Ouch. I assume you've checked about drop off in Nelson city centre as opposed to the airport in case that makes a difference.

Perhaps the bus to Nelson instead? Does air2there fly between Blenheim and Nelson?

I did have a look for city centre locations - surprisingly few of those left now.

My challenge is that I do actually need a vehicle, as I need to get from Blenheim to Kaiteriteri and back to Nelson, including a couple of stops along the way.

Ouch indeed!

Do any of the cheaper rental car agencies have offices in both BHE and NSN?

Don't know any names off by heart but have a Google search and you could find the cheaper NZ-based ones could give you a good deal. Maybe Europcar?

Cheap companies are:
Rent a Dent
Pegasus car rentals
Omega car rentals

I do not know if any of them have offices in both cities.

Oh for BHE if you do not get a car from the airport, form memory only Budget, Europe and Avis (?) have representation there, I suggest you pre-arrange a pick up either rental company or taxi.

Likewise in Nelson, the cheaper rental companies are not based at airport.

mad_atta - there are also buses to Kaiteriteri.

I forgot to mention that every man and his dog is on the road Boxing Day, with lots of caravans and boat trailers on the Kaiteriteri road. Be prepared for a slow drive. The worst I've had took more than 90 minutes from Motueka (and I know people who've taken 4 hours from Blenheim to Nelson).

Have done one way rentals Picton - Nelson with Omega. I recall that for a reasonable fee ($30 from memory, but don't hate me if I'm wrong, do thank me if I'm right ;)) they will leave a vehicle at BHE.

You guys are great, thank you! I can do it with Omega for less than half the Budget cost. I had never heard of Omega - are they any good? Just how old are the vehicles?

evanroberts, you were waaaay off base. It was $35 fee to pick up the car at BHE :)

You guys are great, thank you! I can do it with Omega for less than half the Budget cost. I had never heard of Omega - are they any good? Just how old are the vehicles?

evanroberts, you were waaaay off base. It was $35 fee to pick up the car at BHE :)
I generally go with Omega myself, work goes with Budget as they get a very good rate.
The age of the vehicles....lets just say I reckon I know where the ex-major cars go....you will see.
Oh I forgot to add that Omega was the only company that offered $0 excess option if the rental period was over 3 (?) days at a very reasonable rate.

I generally go with Omega myself, work goes with Budget as they get a very good rate.
The age of the vehicles....lets just say I reckon I know where the ex-major cars go....you will see.
Oh I forgot to add that Omega was the only company that offered $0 excess option if the rental period was over 3 (?) days at a very reasonable rate.

Ex-major cars sound fine to me. I just envisaged that they might be running lots of dodgy 2nd hand Japanese imports, which would put me off a little.